She restrained her jump, now used to how quietly the oshota could move when they wanted to.
"She’s deadly when she wants to be."
Maida flicked a half-undone braid that had slipped over her shoulder behind her as she regarded the students with a sultry gaze only marred by the disdain in her expression.
"Not sure I'd want to fight in that," Blue said. "Looks uncomfortable—and unsafe."
Blue had a point. The woman's outfit was stylistic, beautiful in its own way, but it wasn't ideal for combat.
"Synth armor would only slow her down and prove unnecessary. Her affinity allows her to change the composition of her skin, making it as strong and hard to cut as synth armor," Finn informed them. "She's not quite right in the head, but no one can argue with her abilities."
There were whispers as the second man stepped up, his expression cool and assessing.
"Wren," Devon breathed beside them. The Tuann's hero worship was unmistakable. "I thought he didn't take apprentices until they were fifty years past theiradva ka."
"He's willing to make an exception if he finds an initiate worth his effort." Finn's face was neutral as he relayed that information. It was impossible to make any inferences from his tone.
That didn't stop Kira from trying. Whatever Wren’s purpose here, it had better not have anything to do with her.
Silas wrapped up the introductions. "Over the next few weeks, we will be assessing your skills and abilities to decide which of you are ready for theuhva na.We will use these assessments to pair you with the best mentor. Good luck."
Excited chatter broke out among the initiates.
Devon's gaze was determined as it swung toward Kira. "Your ancestry means nothing here. Don't get in my way. I plan to beat the Face's record for passing theadva ka. I will eliminate any obstacle in my way."
Kira blinked at him. He was one to talk. Practically the first words out of his mouth had been his House affiliation.
That was the definition of using your connections to impress others. She didn't bother pointing that out, though. She doubted he'd appreciate or even acknowledge his hypocrisy
Besides, she had no intention of getting in his way.
"Good luck?" Her tone made it sound more like a question than anything.
His gaze narrowed before he spun on his heel and stalked off, following Maida and the others she’d gathered.
"Friendly guy," Kira muttered. If that was the sort of behavior she had to look forward to over however long it took her to heal, it was going to be a long few weeks.
"People will judge you based on your background. It’s unavoidable," Finn informed her.
"Tell me something I don't know,” Kira said, pushing the craziness of her shoulder-length hair, twisted and tangled from the ocean breeze, away from her face.
That seemed to be the story of her life. Why should the Tuann be any different?
Before Finn could answer, Silas and the strange man who looked vaguely like a genius wizard approached.
"Kira, this is Loudon. He is theki’sherald and an adviser to the Overlord. He's volunteered to show you around the Fortress of the Vigilant in my place. I'm afraid I have business to attend to." Apology colored Silas's words.
Loudon smiled at her, the skin at the corner of his eyes crinkling. "It'd be my pleasure."
"Thank you," she said as Loudon started toward the fortress of black stone that seemed to eat the light.
Raider and Blue shouldered their bags, catching up easily.
"Of course, your ancestral home would be the one that looks like it’s straight out of a gothic, sci-fi, holovid," Raider muttered as they started along the cliffside path. "I don't know why I ever thought it would be different."
Neither did Kira, to be honest.
SIX
